US corn crop holds steady as USDA reports modest soybean decline

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s latest Crop Progress report shows that 67% of the U.S. corn crop remains in good‑to‑excellent condition, unchanged from the prior week. Soybean condition slipped slightly to 64% good‑to‑excellent, a one‑point decrease.

Corn development is near historical averages, with 16% of the crop at silking and 3% at dough stage. Soybean growth is ahead of both last year and the five‑year average, with 34% blooming. Regional highlights include Iowa leading with 78% of its corn rated good‑to‑excellent, while Illinois fell to 58%. In the southern plains, Oklahoma’s corn is 62% good‑to‑excellent and soybean 31% good‑to‑excellent, with pasture and range conditions also improving modestly. The report follows a week of extreme heat across the Corn Belt that was eased by widespread rain.